La Liga will make a controversial step to benefit Barcelona’s Champions League ambitions significantly.
According to COPE, the league will alter Barcelona’s fixture schedule for the next match in what will be regarded by some as favoritism for the Catalan football giants.
The crisis was brought about by Barcelona’s congested fixture list after qualifying for the Champions League semifinals.
After their first leg against Inter Milan on April 30, the Blaugrana were originally scheduled to face Real Valladolid in La Liga on May 4 – two days before their decisive second leg in Europe.
The tight turnaround had already brought about concerns regarding player exhaustion and the need for over-reliance on the rotation of players.
In a surprising development, La Liga is also said to be planning to advance the match to May 3, which would give Barcelona an additional day off before their European clash.
Although the change may not appear to be a lot at first, it could even be tactically advantageous as Hansi Flick’s team gears up for its most crucial matches of the season.
It is happening as Barcelona is already scheduled to host Real Madrid in El Clásico on May 11, adding to their fixture congestion.
This possible scheduling adjustment has already started to raise eyebrows in Spanish football.
Critics complain that other teams have not been given similar dispensations when confronted with similar stacks of fixtures, arguably giving the impression of partiality.
The change could be especially contentious considering Barcelona’s position as one of La Liga’s glamour sides and their continued financial struggles.
The move is evidence of the fine line leagues have to walk between helping their clubs in Europe and upholding competitive integrity at home.
As events further unfold, all eyes will be on whether La Liga will indeed follow through with this shift in scheduling and how the remainder of the league responds to what would be seen as favoritism for one of Spain’s biggest clubs.
The outcome would establish an interesting precedent for how Spanish football handles such situations in the future.
Want to get the latest Barcelona news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.
